New York personal injury attorneys De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, have today announced the introduction of a free brain injury identification card, to help the estimated 2.5 million Americans who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year.
Shana De Caro, Esq., a brain injury attorney at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, and secretary of the Brain Injury Association of America, in explaining why a readily available customized brain injury identification card is necessary said,
“Although victims may appear normal, they may be suffering from invisible injuries resulting from their brain injury which can cause them to exhibit emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems. They may not be able to control their thoughts, emotions, or reactions.”
The identification card, according to Ms. De Caro, “will help avoid misunderstandings with police, EMT and ambulance personnel and others.”
The personalized cards are provided free by De Caro & Kaplen, LLP, and are available to any individual who has sustained a brain injury. The customized card will include the individual’s name, a designated emergency contact, and common symptoms of a TBI.
Michael V. Kaplen, past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, and a partner at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP in explaining how misunderstandings with law enforcement can cause serious problems for brain injury survivors said, “Brain injuries can cause confusion, inappropriate behavior, and responses by brain injury survivors, including slurred speech, or an unsteady gait. We have seen several instances where police have confused these symptoms with resistance to police inquiries, criminal conduct, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately these misunderstandings have resulted in inappropriate arrests .”
According to Michael V. Kaplen, the new card will help to decrease such incidences, “It can be difficult for brain injury survivors to explain their injury (and symptoms) to police, particularly if they are in a stressful situation. Carrying the card in their wallet — which we will be working to ensure is recognized by police forces across the USA — provides a way for individuals to quickly explain their conduct and behavior.”
Application for a personalized card can be made on De Caro & Kaplen’s website at https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/card/.
The cards are provided free and will be shipped to any address in the USA.